There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
1 Corinthians 12:4 (NIV)
Don’t we all want to have gifts or talents that can be used to fortify our world…to help others? Christians refer to these as ‘gifts of the spirit’. That’s because the Spirit gives us all good gifts.
How do we know what our gifts are? What are we passionate about? What talents come naturally for us…We don’t have to force them. Are we a natural born leader, teacher, encourager? These are the gifts the Spirit has called us to use. God’s first call to us is to love one another as He has loved us.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV)
Still not sure what your gift is? How do we show love for those around us? Ask a family member. They can probably tell you. Many times they see things in us that we do not see ourselves.
My gift seems to be inspiring others. I googled the definition of “Inspire”. It says “to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural influence or action.” That makes me feel I’m in very holy company. The Holy Spirit is often called the inspirer.
I am NOT the good and holy God that the Holy Spirit is! I inspire others by moving about clumsily in an effort to regain my mobility. God chose to use that as a way to inspire others to take care of their holy temple, the body. So it’s true! Gifts can come from brokenness. So that means that as I stumble about with my physical therapy routines, I can actually motivate others. Who knew?
We can’t discount ourselves because we can’t see the influence we have with others. God sees it and put it there for that purpose.
I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
1 Corinthians 7:7 (NIV)
What is your gift? Search for it! How do you see your impact with others? Use that skill or aptitude in a way that bolsters others. Who knows! You may inspire them to reach out to support others!
Dear Lord,
You have given all of us gifts and talents . We know that You want us to use those skills and abilities to help others.
Show us where and with whom we can provide encouragement or assistance. Then we can be reminded of how good it feels to help others.
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